Duisburg Camp, Germany (Final Part)

Continued...

On Sunday 30th September a special Diwaan was held for the completion of the camp. Former Panthic Jathedaar of Sri Akaal Takht Sahib, Bhai Sahib Ranjit Singh jee, attended the Diwaan. He arrived from France with the French Sangat on the Saturday night and attended the Rainsbai Keertan as well. Jathedaar Bhai Ranjit Singh jee is known for his seva of delivering justice to the Nakli Nirankari Guru who insulted the Sikh Gurus and murdered 13 innocent GurSikh protestors on Vaisakhi 1978. You can read more about the history here.



The Sangat on Sunday.

First there was Sukhmani Sahib Paath followed by Chaa da Langar. Afterwards the Diwaan started again with children performing Keertan. After Keertan, the 11-14 years old group and 15-18 years old group sang Dharmik Geet that they had rehearsed and practiced during the camp. This was followed by the Jathedaar Sahib receiving a Siropa and then the children receiving awards.


Bhenji Sunny Kaur and Bhenji Sarbjeet Kaur singing a Shabad.


Bhenji Prabhjot Kaur singing a Shabad.


The elder group of girls sang a Dharmik Geet about Shaheedi and Kurbani (martyrdom and sacrifice) through praising the Shaheeds of Sikh History like Bhai Mani Singh jee and Bhai Taru Singh jee.


The 11-14 years old group sang a Dharmik Geet about being proud to be Sikh and how the Khalsa is the most unique and beautiful in the whole world.



Sangat.


Baba Nirmal Singh jee (President of the Gurdwara Sahib) delivering a talk.


Jathedaar Bhai Ranjit Singh jee.


The trophies for the campers.


Campers.


Bhenji Ravinder Kaur receiving her certificate and trophy.


Waheguru. This is Sooraj Singh! He is a special child. The first day I saw him, Bhajee Ranjit Singh jee told me that in a previous camp Sooraj wanted to keep his Kesh and announced he would not cut his Kesh. However, in this camp he still had short hair. During the Q&A session Bhajee Ranjeet Singh jee asked who wants to take Amrit, if so stand up. Sooraj stood up. Bhajee asked "... if you want to take Amrit, why did you cut your hair?" He was very sad and quietly said, "I wanted to keep my Kesh. My hair got long. But my dad got scissors and cut my Kesh." Waheguru. His mother was there and they said they done this out of ignorance because they thought Sooraj would face problems at school. Just to add, Sooraj's family background is not Sikh. With Guru's Kirpaa, his mother agreed that they would support Sooraj now in becoming a Sikh.

Waheguru. In the camp we discussed that before taking Amrit and making such a big step one should at least from now start to live like an Amritdhari, keep Rehit, wake up Amrit-Vela, do Nitnam and Naam Abhiyaas daily, and wear 5 Ks. It was emphasised that Amrit is not cheap and nor is it a game that you take Amrit and then decide to give up Rehit and that turning one's back to the Guru intentionally committing a Bajjar Kurehit will result in one's face being blackened here and hereafter and suffering the pain of leaving the Guru's blessings. Hearing this Sooraj said, "Bhajee please please can you get me Sarbloh (iron) Kara?" Then everday till the camp ended he said, "Please give me a Kachhera to wear. I want to take Amrit. Can you give Amrit tommorrow morning. Please. Do you have a Kachhera and a Dastaar that I can keep? Please. Please wake me up at Amrit-Vela so that I can keep Amrit-Vela and then take Amrit." His CONSTANT persistance for a Kachhera, Kara, a Dastaar and for the gift of Amrit made anyone who heard it feel in Bairaag and moved! Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Guru Ke Piyaare. His smiling face is unforgetable.

Sukhwinder Singh bhajee taught him how to tie a Dumalla and showed him how to make a fake jooraa. lol. (underneath his rumaal, Bhajee placed another rumall rolled up into ball). He was over the moon that it looked like he had a Jooraa and he was happy to get a Khandaa to put on his dumallaa.

Unfortunately there weren't any spare Kachhera (obviously I wasn't going to give my worn Kachheray!!). He agreed that when he next has holidays and going to India, he will get Kachheray sown. Waheguru. Just to add, Sooraj was only 10 years old. Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Guru Ke Piayaare!


Keertan towards the end of the Diwaan.


Atwal Uncle jee (part of the Gurdwara Parbandhaks), Jathedaar jee and Baba Nirmal Singh (President of the Gurdwara Sahib)


Very inspirational camp. Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teri Sikh!

Duisburg Gurmat Camp, Germany (Part 2)

Continued...

This was the timetable for the camp which was posted up on the wall in the Langar Hall. It was quite funny that some people mistakenly thought it was a "Jantree" (calendar with Gurpurb and Sangrand dates) and went closer to have a look.


8 to 10 years old class on Mudhlee Vidiyaa (basic knowledge of Gurmat).


Elder group's photo on a trip outside.


Shastars used for Gatka


Bhajee Ranjit Singh jee and Veer Damandeep Singh doing a demonstration.


Amritpal Singh and Lakhpreet Singh doing Gatka.


Bhai Maha Singh jee leading Gatka class.



Bhajee Ranjeet Singh jee taught children about the different Raags and how to find different music to a Shabad within a Raag. There was a lot of terminology and theory! It's always refreshing to see the European children's love for Keertan and learning Gurmat Sangeet.


Gurbaani Santhiyaa class for 11 to 14 years old, led by Bhajee Sukhwinder Singh


Q & A class.


On the last day of the camp there was a dastaar tying competition for all the girls and boys. The girls tied better dastaars than the boys! It was was impressive to see the different styles of Dastaars and the pride taken in tying it.

On Saturday 29th September there was a Rainsbai Keertan in the evening. First there was a Gatka demonstration performed by the campers followed by Rehraas Sahib and then the Rainsbai Keertan. The majority of the Keertan was done by the youngsters. The Keertan was done in Chardi Kalaa and sung beautifully. Also Bhai Jasvir Singh Khalsa (Paris), Bhai Sukhwinder Singh (UK) and others performed Keertan.


Pinky Bhenji doing Keertan.


Bhenji Kiranpreet Kaur & Bhenji Komalpreet Kaur doing Keertan.


Young Bhenji doing Keertan. She is only 6 years old!


The young Bhenji looking in Chardi Kalaa!


Group photo with Bhajee Barinder Singh from Cologne (left) and Bhajee Karamveer Singh from Paris (right)


Sangat.


Satguru Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee.


Bhai Jasveer Singh Khalsa (Paris) doign Keertan.


Sangat.


Bhajee Sukhwinder Singh (UK) doing Keertan.

(More photos of the Rainsbai Kirtan on Flickr)

To be continued...

Duisburg Gurmat Camp, Germany (Part 1)

Daas has been away for the past week attending a Gurmat Camp that was held for Sikh youngsters in Duisburg, Germany. The camp was held from Sunday 23rd September to Sunday 30th September at Singh Sabha Gurdwara Sahib, Duisburg. Bhajee Ranjit Singh from Germany (who has done immense seva in inspiring and attracting the Sikh youth towards Sikhi through Gurmat & Keertan classes, and organising camps) organised the camp with the help of Duisburg Gurdwara Sahib and the Sangat from the surrounding areas. Bhajee Sukhwinder Singh from Birmingham also came to the camp a few days into the camp and held classes and did great Keertan seva.

Bhajee Ranjeet Singh jee went to pick me up from the airport. Once my luggage arrived I decided to go the bathroom and put my Kirpaan back on. I thought I would go to the disabled toilet, considering the arrivals area was nearly empty and it would be easier to put my Kirpaan on there. Waheguru. Well, Germany's airport is more advanced than UK. Even the toilet doors electronically opened. I tried opening the door but it wouldn't. I pushed the button and got in but then the door didn't close. Neither did the button work to close it nor could I yank the door shut. It was slightly embarrassing! Eventually I got my Siri Sahib back and then looked for the exit doors. I couldn't find them! I found a door but it was shut so I pushed it open and got out. It was slightly strange that all the people on the plane had some how got off the plane but I was all alone when coming out. I couldn't see Bhajee so I thought he must be late. 10 minutes later Bhajee came to me and said where had I been. I realised that I had got out of the wrong door and hence no one was there! Waheguru. Drama!

Over 75 youngsters from the local area as well as other parts of Germany attended the camp. Some children travelled 1 to 2 hours daily to attend the camp. Their devotion was overwhelming. Two boys came daily to the camp by bus, which took them one and a half hours. Despite the distance they even attended the early morning Amrit-Vela simran and Nitnem and took the 1am bus from where they live. Waheguru. The week long camp involved a series of classes from Keertan, Sikh History, Gurbaani Santhiyaa (training in how to pronounce and understand Gurbaani), Gatka (Sikh martial arts), training in how to tie Dastaars & Keskis (large and small turbans) and Q & A sessions. One day of the camp everyone went for a day out to the local park which is very peaceful and tranquil place.

The children were amazing and had so much enthusiasm, pyaar and dedication. There were new faces compared to the last camp in April. All the children and their parents had so much pyaar and enthusiasm. The local Granthi Singh, Giani Baba Makhan Singh jee, who does great seva in teaching the local children was away in India so everyone missed his presence in the camp.

The camp atmosphere was great. Daas met Chardi Kalaa naujawan - Bhajee Barinder Singh and his 2 brothers, Veer Ramandeep Singh & his brother, Veer Damandeep Singh, and 16 years old, Veer Tanveer Singh (who made a promise in Guru Sahib's Hazoori (presence) in the last camp that he would stop cutting his Kesh, and with Guru's Kirpaa in this camp he was wearing a Dumalaa and his aura was glowing with Chardi Kalaa). There were times of uncontrollable laughter (so much so that I needed to take my asthma inhaler everyday! Waheguru!). Hearing the personal stories of some of the Veer jees and Bhenjees and their struggles and challenges in becoming and maintaining their Sikhi brought tears to everyone's eyes and a feeling of bairaag. It was incredible to see the colours of Waheguru unfold.

The youngsters of Germany are a credit to the Panth (nation) and are showing great progress in Sikhi. May Waheguru keep them in Chardi Kalaa and bless them with more enthusiasm, spirit and strength in becoming strong Sikhs and inspiring other youngsters. The words to sum up the feeling at the end of the camp were: "Dhan Guru, Dhan Hai Teri Sikhi" (Blessed is the Guru, Blessed is Your Sikhi).

Some photos:


Bhajee Ranjeet Singh jee addressing the children.


Bhajee Ranjeet Singh jee's elder group Gatka class.


The campers' mothers joined in the fun and played a game of balancing a lemon on spoon held in their mouth. Some of them ran quite fast and did well! (Some nearly banged into the wall as they got to the finishing side. Waheguru).


Last April's camp speciality was Moolee (Parothay, Sabjee, Achaar and Salad), but this camp's speciality was PIZZA. Waheguru. Three days running there was Pizza (in the afternoon and because there were so many Pizzas, it was given out in the evening as well. At first the children screamed and ran to the Langar hall when they heard they were getting Pizza. Waheguru. By the end of the camp the children said, "I don't want Pizza... I want to eat Roti" (makes a nice change!)


Paramjeet Kaur Aunty jee with the younger children's class.


Bhajee Barinder Singh (who is studying Physics at university in Germany) talking to children about being Sikh and living in Germany.


On Thursday everyone went to the local park and lake.


Sitting down on some rocks and relaxing.


Bhai Maha Singh jee Paris Waale (a Chardi Kalaa and amazing Gursikh who recently received the gift of Amrit with his whole family) and Daas were competing to see who get the highest on the swings but unfortunately my swing got twisted and I started to swing sidewards and nearly had Bhai Sahib's foot on my face. lol. Waheguru!


Bhai Sukhwinder Singh jee (UK) competing against Bhai Maha Singh jee (France)


Children playing with the sand and water.


Eikpreet Singh (Bhajee Ranjeet Singh jee's son).


Group photo of Chardi Kalaa Singhs - Bhai Ramandeep Singh, Bhai Maha Singh jee, Bhai Tanveer Singh and Bhai Damandeep Singh.


Autny jees sitting down and relaxing.


Veer Damandeep Singh, Ramandeep Singh with Gajmeet Singh and his cousin on the walk back to the Gurdwara.


Aunty jee tied a Dastaar for the first time. Her three daughters since the last camp started to a tie a dastaar regularly everytime they come to the Gurdwara and are working towards taking Amrit and wearing a Dastaar to school as well. Also her youngest son kept his Kesh since the last camp. Everyone was proud to have a photo to capture how nice they looked in the form and image that Guru Gobind Singh jee blessed his children.


Late afternoon class of questions and answers.


In the evening we used to do Rehraas Sahib through Keertan.


Everyone eating Langar.

To be continued...